Summary

In science news around the world, China's Chang'e-4 lander becomes the first spacecraft to set down on the far side of the moon. The U.S. Senate confirms meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the first person to hold that position under President Donald Trump. Congress approves a law, signed by Trump, that authorizes increased spending and federal coordination for quantum information science that could reshape computing, sensors, and communications. The leader of Italy's main health research agency resigns, accusing government officials of "antiscientific positions on many issues," including the use of vaccines. Early-career researchers in India vow to intensify their nationwide protests over government stipends, which they say are too low to make ends meet. Under pressure, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine rescinds an invitation to visit the United States to Russian space agency head Dmitry Rogozin, who is under sanctions.